It’s no secret to PlayStation fans that Sony has invested a lot of time into promoting their LittleBigPlanet franchise. Having 2 of the games come out on PS3 and also a game on PSP, it’s no surprise to us that they would want that experience on their new PS Vita handheld.
I’m glad to say that this Vita version of the game, developed by Double Eleven and Tarsier Studios, still holds the spark of what LBP is and what it sets itself out to be. Adding some great creative features and using the Vita’s abilities, such as the touch screen and gyroscope to their full potential.
Story:
If you have played any of the other LBP games, you will be well used to the storytelling and game layout. Each level is represented by a badge on the world, and they split up into 5 different areas. Every world has from 5 to 9 levels, some of which are challenges that don’t have any impact on the story. They are only there as a fun feature and a fun creative learning tool, giving players ideas of what they can come up with and create in their own LBP levels.
The story has you playing once again as Sackboy. You have been recruited to stop the evil Puppeteer who has been stealing main characters from the game and turning them into puppets, which he then uses against you throughout the main campaign. All the sub characters you bump into on your journey have their own very unique personalities which straight off the bat strike a chord with you, and starts creating a long lasting appeal that you continue to experience throughout the game.
The LBP story, although starting to feel samey, still works. It’s fun, entertaining, and mainly serves as a little distraction from the core, which we all know is the gameplay. LittleBigPlanet has always been about the platforming and limited puzzle solving, which at times can be tricky, but never frustrating enough to ruin the experience of the game.
GamePlay:
LittleBigPlanet at heart is a platforming experience with 2D and 3D elements implemented. Unsurprisingly, the game makes great use of the Vita’s unique features. Tilting the Vita from left to right so your Sackboy can traverse an open bridge while grappled to a ball and chain can give you a great rewarding feeling of personal input to the game. Also, it has the best use of back touch on the Vita and shows how games can benefit from it. Having to push out a ledge to allow you to progress through a level and not even think to long about it is great.
Even with it being a platformer, LBP has more to offer. From controlling a flying bee with back touch, and having to shooting pink orbs with the front touch screen to progress through a level, all of the game mechanics are here to add fun and long lasting appeal to the game. However, these mechanics are mainly used to get users thinking about what they can bring to the LBP universe with their own created masterpieces.
LBP has always been about creativity, whether from the games creators or from the community. I have dabbled in the tools that the LBP Vita has to offer, but found it not to be my cup of tea. I appreciate the work that some creators do in the game and some of the content I have played is very worthy of having its own place in the game, but it requires a lot of patience and time to achieve something worth noting. I can say that LBP Vita has done a great job breaking down the entry barrier, making it easier for people to get involved in the process of creation and have fun while doing it .
Graphics:
It’s no secret that LBP looks nothing but impressive on the Vita. Comparing it to the PS3 version, it’s hard to believe that it is on a handheld. Even when playing on multiplayer, the game runs smoothly on a good WiFi connection. While playing through the 6 to 7 hour campaign, depending on your skill, I experienced no screen tearing or image popping. It’s a game the translates perfectly over to the Vita and is shocking that it didn’t release as a cross platform game.
Sackboy is the main centerpiece of the game. His cute animations from going from laughing with his tongue out all jolly, to scared and frightened has you think more about SackBoy as a companion other than just a character you play in a game. He is an iconic character in the PlayStation universe at this point. Some would debate that he is the Mario of Sony. It’s hard imagining SackBoy going away anytime soon.
The most amazing part of LBP is that all the levels were created with the tools that you are given in Create Mode. You too have the ability to use them and create something on par, or even better than the developers’ creations. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, trying out some user generated content also holds its own rewards and gives you a great inclusion to the community of established players in the LBP universe.
Presentation:
Not many games come together as well as LBP always has. It’s a game where you have the ability to drop in and understand what exactly is going on right from the get go. The writing is great – from the hilarious intros, to the cleverly written narrative that is voiced by none other than Stephen Fry (Hugh and Laurie and QI). Stephen’s witty, comical humour adds a layer to the whole experience that without, I don’t know if the franchise would have found the footing that it has today.
You will not find yourself being left out to dry with your experience in LBP, because the game offers a lot of content to keep you coming back for more. Even the short challenges, such as Bounce, will keep you trying to get the 3 star rating just so you can say you have it. This is an experience with tons of content that the consumer wants on the Vita.
Sound:
Since the very first game I’ve always been on board with LBP, and a lot of that had to do with the soundtrack. I would find myself humming away tracks to myself as I went about my day, stopping for a second to ask myself “what is that song from” then realising it’s “If you step on my patch I’ll bring you down.” I can’t stress how good the soundtrack is for LBP Vita; it adds more unique and original scores that make the experience a blast.
Every area has its own theme. From the cybernetic area of Jackpot City with it’s electro remix, up until the final area, Spooky Mansion, with it’s ambiant sounds that set the mood of tension and suspense. LBP Vita has a soundtrack that is worth investing in and is one of the things that will have me coming back for more and more in times to come.
In Summary:
It’s very difficult for me to knock LBP Vita. I found so much to love in the game. Perhaps its only downside is its lack of Vita to Vita cross play functionality. The only way to play with your friends is over a WiFi connection, but still that’s not enough to make me knock what the guys at Tarsier Studios and Double Eleven have achieved here. Fans of the series will find exactly what they want out of LBP Vita.
I’m very interested in knowing what your thoughts on LittleBigPlanet Vita were. Let us know by dropping a comment in the comment section below.
Little Big Planet
Pros
- Fans Will Love It
Cons
- Lack of Vita-To-Vita Crossplay
[…] their first next gen title exclusively for the PS4. The developer is most famous for their work on LittleBigPlanet for PS Vita. The new game is called Hunger and will be the first time Tarsier has released an original IP. […]
I guess some people don't have to jump out of a plane to get their dose of adrenaline. It's sometimes amazing to think that, once you know the basics, excitement can come from something small enough to hold in your hands.